Tampa Bay Rays hot topics: Flip or flop? Time for a rebuild?

By Marc Topkin

Published: December 5, 2017

If the Rays decide to blow up their roster, Wilson Ramos - and his $10.5M salary - could be traded. [WILL VRAGOVIC / Tampa Bay Times ]

We don't know what moves the Rays will make this off-season, just that there will be some big ones as they look to cut payroll and decide whether to try to remain competitive or go for a rebuild. With the annual winter meetings next week at Disney, we are looking today at some of their hottest topics:

Rays officials acknowledge they are at least considering a massive rebuild, which means they at least go into the meetings willing to consider trading just about any veteran player on the roster, especially if they make any money.

Will they?

Should they?

That depends on whether they think they have a real chance to compete this season, or are more likely headed toward a fifth straight season of being not good enough and missing the playoffs.

The success of the Cubs and Astros in winning the last two World Series certainly makes a case for the benefits of rebuilding – or, depending on your perspective, tanking – in that they can further enhance their core of young players and gear up for a run of success over an extended period.

If the Rays opt for that route, their list of trade candidates would be extensive. At the least, expect them to trade a few of their bigger name players, with closer Alex Colome high atop the list.

Here are their top-paid, and more likely to be traded players, listed with signed-for- or projected 2018 salary: